Gasp

Name: Gasp
Author: Lisa McMann
ISBN: 9781442466302

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Lisa McMann

Reading Level 4-5 IE · Intense · Emotional Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes. Its HootRating code, IE, means intense content, mostly emotional.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What would you do if you could see disasters before they happen? Jules has already faced two terrifying events, but now the visions keep coming, and she knows she must act fast. Can Jules, Sawyer, and their friends stop another catastrophe before it's too late?

Themes

SupernaturalSchool SafetyFriendshipJuvenile FictionParanormal Fiction

Quick Assessment

Jules must identify which survivor of a school shooting is now experiencing visions of another imminent crisis, and convince that person the danger is real. The story carries real suspense, peril, and emotional weight from trauma and fear, though violence is referenced rather than graphically depicted. It suits teens who can handle intense thriller content and discussions of school violence, and it's worth previewing with younger or sensitive readers.

Why we rated Gasp IE (Intense)

Gasp is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 273 pages. Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.

We rate Gasp as IE (Intense, mostly emotional) because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: School Shootings, Supernatural Elements.

Thematically, Gasp explores supernatural, school safety, friendship, juvenile fiction, and paranormal fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about supernatural, school safety, friendship.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 13 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.

For Parents

Content Intensity

IE · Intense · Emotional

Emotional

Intense ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Moderate

Thematic

Moderate

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.